Iranian Missile Strike Injures Eight U.S. Marines

An Iranian anti-ship cruise missile struck a maritime vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on September 14, 2026, injuring eight members of a U.S. Marine Corps battalion landing team. The casualties included seven enlisted members and one officer who suffered from smoke inhalation and symptoms consistent with concussions and traumatic brain injuries. All eight personnel returned to duty shortly after the incident.

U.S. officials stated the targeted vessel was not a U.S. Navy ship, though they did not specify the vessel type, while other reports identified it as a U.S.-contracted vessel. The attack was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Organization.

The United States Department of Defense and U.S. Central Command did not publicly disclose the attack when it occurred, resulting in scrutiny over the Pentagon's casualty reporting processes. According to the Defense Casualty Analysis System, 861 U.S. service members have been injured in the ongoing conflict with Iran as of September 2026.